Top 7 Web App Ideas and Trends to Watch in 2018

Back in the early days of the internet, it seemed as if everyone was trying tobuild a website. Whether it was to provide a service, sell a product, or simply host information, these websites were often rudimentary and often would be put up without ever being edited again. Today, the world is full of websites and web app ideas that meet similar goals as those original web pages, only with much better technology and design.

In this article, we are going to take a look at 7 of the top web app ideas and trends for development in 2018. Each of these web app ideas and trends are starting to gain traction and have the potential to define the future of the web as we know it. We are reviewing these in order to help you stay ahead of the curve when it comes to web development and even give you some web app ideas you can develop yourself. Without further ado, let’s get started.

1. Chatbots and AI

In today’s day and age, more companies than ever are getting involved inmarketing automation, which allows them to automate many functions of the customer journey using new technologies like chatbots and AI. These web app ideas can have a powerful effect on customer retention and engagement. Developing an web app like this could give your customers a very interactive user experience.

While artificial intelligence used to only exist in science fiction novels, with the rapid progression of new technologies, AI has become a reality. Both chatbots and AI are perfect for businesses that serve customers who have questions or need answers all throughout the day. Additionally, once they are up and running, they can significantly reducecustomer acquisition costs.

2. Augmented Reality (AR)

Already an emerging trend inmobile app development, augmented reality is soon to become a popular web app idea as well. The main reason for the popularity of AR is how untapped its potential is, as many are still only using the tech for face filters on Snapchat. However, early reports suggest that AR can be used in a variety of scenarios from education to health care.

For those who are hoping to get involved in augmented reality,many companies like Google are creating open source AR platforms in which you can learn how to use their technology. By doing so, you can come up with your own AR web app ideas and turn them into a reality. Not only that, but since it is such a new technology, you can get ahead of the trend by starting now.

3. Blockchain

Although it is often used in reference to cryptocurrency, blockchain technology has far more applications than something like Bitcoin. Blockchain in this context simply refers to a continuously growing list of records, called blocks, which are linked and secured using cryptography. Each of these blocks relates to a previous block in the chain, thus securing the entire process.

The exciting thing about blockchain, like AR, is that it is still a relatively new idea with massive room for expansion. Being that blockchain is the most effective method of collective and secure data storage, if you are able to develop web app ideas relating to this system, you might have something revolutionary on your hands.

4. Motion UI

Another one of the many emerging web app ideas that has come to the forefront in 2018 is motion UI. By using animation to create a beautiful user interface design, motion UI designers can set their websites and web apps apart from the thousands if not millions of static pages on the web. This is something that allUX designers should take note of, since these sort of websites will soon be in high demand.

As we move forward, interactive design like this will continue to be vital to web app developers who are looking to stay ahead of the game. In the same way that marketers must meet their customers where they are, developers need to provide their users with the best experience possible every time they engage with their software. Motion UI is, simply put, one of the best ways to do this.

5. Single Page Websites

With trends like motion UI and UX design, websites no longer have the same depth that they once used to. In fact, another trend that is becoming popular inweb development is that of creating single page websites. Often these websites serve a very specific function such as providing a download link. By keeping the ask simply, they can do more than a traditional website with less.

That being said, the design of your single page website is even more important. Since you are working with less, you need to make sure that your design is on point and that your users know exactly what next steps they need to take.

6. E-commerce Networks

In the time of Amazon, creating an e-commerce network seems like an unlikely idea for a web app. However, according to statisticsBigcommerce, 51% of Americans prefer to buy online products and only 56% of online stores have a physical store. This means that over half of Americans prefer to buy online. Not exactly a bad target market, huh?

The best way to make sure that web app ideas like an e-commerce network actually get off the ground is by analyzing that target market or your end-users. If you are able to cater specifically to them and give them a good user experience, you have the potential to create a thriving business.

7. Progressive Web Apps

The final web app idea that we will look at is progressive web apps. Similar to native mobile applications, PWAs work offline and store all information even when users are offline, similar to the wayAPIs are designed. Not only do progressive web apps show potential for a new wave of non-mobile applications, but compete with mobile apps on a large scale.

If you are interested in creating a progressive web app, make sure to read up on success stories likeThe Washington Post, who was able to significantly improve conversions across all platforms with a PWA.

Start developing today!

Now that we have taken a look at these 7 web app ideas and trends, we hope that you have been inspired by these many different ideas. As you can see, the important aspect of each of these ideas is to create auser experience that caters to their needs and provides a solution to their problems. If you are able to do this, your web app will be able to be successful.

It also should be said that these web app ideas and trends won’t be around forever. While 2018 shows promise in AI and AR, the future is unknown. However, here at Snyxius, we like to say that the best way to predict the future is to build it. Start developing today and get a leg up on your competition and the future!